‘Family Guy’ Is ‘Phasing Out’ Gay Jokes

Family Guy is known for its crude humor, but the show will apparently be turning away from gay jokes in the future. Its latest episode, which aired this past Sunday (Jan. 13), featured Peter Griffin telling President Trump that the show has been “trying to phase out” gay jokes.

Speaking with TVLine, Executive Producers Alec Sulkin and Rich Appel confirmed the line's sentiment, saying that "the climate is different," regarding today's culture versus when the show started.

"If you look at a show from 2005 or 2006 and put it side by side with a show from 2018 or 2019, they're going to have a few differences," Sulkin said. "Some of the things we felt comfortable saying and joking about back then, we now understand is not acceptable."

"It’s almost unique to Family Guy, though I can think of one other show that’s been on the air longer," said Appel. "But if a show has literally been on the air for 20 years, the culture changes. And it’s not us reacting and thinking, “They won’t let us [say certain things].” No, we’ve changed too."

He added, "The culture is different and our views are different. They’ve been shaped by the reality around us, so I think the show has to shift and evolve in a lot of different ways."

Family Guy debuted in 1999 and has run the course of 16 seasons, with its 17th currently ongoing. The show has been nominated for 12 Primetime Emmy Awards and 11 Annie Awards, winning three of each. Although assumed, additional seasons have yet to be confirmed.